"Huh." -Smiles 2026

[memorycaine-smiles]

[Casimir sat on the stage of the circus, grumbling.]

I don’t get it…I tried everything…

[He said, sighing heavily. Louve headed toward him, hiding behind something first, just to watch him.]

@casimir-the-mass

[The Mimi hallucination scowled, crossing it's arms]

𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒! 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ!!

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir looked away from them, noticing Louve peeking out.]

….Whats that?

[He asked, Louve moving quickly and slapping onto Casimir’s face. Casimir yelped, falling off the stage.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[It looked over the stage, blinking and shrugging before looking at Yan]

𝑌𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑒?

[casimir-the-mass]

[Yan blinked.]

I think that’s Mimi’s ex.

[Casimir tried ripping Louve off, but it got into his mouth, making him gag as it entered his system.]

OH MY GOD, ITS IN ME-

[mimicry-virus]

[It started DYING of laughter]

𝑂ℎ 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑑! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠!

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir began coughing, red stuff already dripping from his mouth.]

GET- *cough* OUT-!!

[He hit his chest, but it didn’t do anything as he slowly relaxed, straightening up as Louve took over.]

Ugh, this body is so short…

[mimicry-virus]

[The hallucination sighed]

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛..

[𝑀𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑦, 𝑤𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑑]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir turned toward them.]

No you’re not. You’re the smartest person I know!

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑟.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑, 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

[casimir-the-mass]

Wait.

[He said, taking out a jar of blood and a bag of some files.]

Hungry..?

[He knew they were their favorite things.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠, 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑡.]

.. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir watched them before walking over and sitting beside them, grinning playfully.]

How are you~?

[He asked, trying to sound flirty.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑]

𝐼𝑡... 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒.

[casimir-the-mass]

Tell me about it.

[He said, shaking his head.]

Do you wanna talk about it?

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑓𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ]

𝑀𝑦 𝑒𝑥 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑.. 𝑆𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑠 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡! 𝐴𝑛𝑑.. 𝐻𝑒.. 𝐷𝑖𝑑𝑛'𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒. 𝐼𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛..

[casimir-the-mass]

I see.

[He stared at them, scooting a little closer.]

…I’m sorry, you must feel horrible…

[He moved his hand to put on theirs, but hesitated and just didn’t do that.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑑]

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙, ℎ𝑢ℎ?

[casimir-the-mass]

….Yeah. I- I know you don’t like me the same, though….At least he actually loves you…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑠, 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚]

𝑀𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠.. 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

….youve never been my second choice…

[He said, scooting even closer and grabbing their hand.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

𝑌𝑒𝑎ℎ.. 𝐼 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡.

[casimir-the-mass]

Look I….im really sorry…for…everything…I just…I love you so much, it makes me a little…crazy…

[He stared at them, putting his hand on his chest.]

…you don’t have to give me a chance I just…I just want you happy, and content…even if it’s not with me…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑]

[casimir-the-mass]

[They got worried. Did they say the wrong thing? He took his hand of theirs, looking away.]

…I- I’m sorry, that was…corny..

[mimicry-virus]

...𝑦𝑜𝑢? 𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑧𝑒? 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠]

𝐷𝑎𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑡.. 𝐼 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑡.

[casimir-the-mass]

[He tried to act confused, but inside he was screaming.]

Uh…a bet…?

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑒𝑥 𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠]

𝐼𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒, 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑒𝑛

[casimir-the-mass]

….i see…..

[Casimir suddenly took over, leaving Louve stunned.]

….That’s fine….i- I just wanted to tell you….i- I knew I wasn’t a choice….

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡, 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

𝑌𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠, 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡!

[casimir-the-mass]

NO!!! I- I mean, no! I- it’s okay…I want you to be happy, don’t date me if you feel forced…

[Louve shifted back into control, a little angry,]

[mimicry-virus]

𝑆𝑒𝑒! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼'𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡, 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠!

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑑, 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑜𝑤, ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢? 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝐼 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢!

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦]

𝑀𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑒 𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡..

[casimir-the-mass]

[His eyes lit up, his chest aching as he stared at them. Red hearts popped up around him.]

…you- you really did…?

[Both Casimir and Louve took control now, just staring at Mimi.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑, 𝑟𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑]

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑦? 𝐼 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

[He stared at them, suddenly getting giddy.]

Eeehehehehe, I can’t believe you actually loved me-!

[He froze at the word “loved”…past tense.]

…oh.

[His energy drained quickly.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝐿𝑂𝑉𝐸𝐷... 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑢ℎ.. 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑙.. 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑎... 𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑒.. 𝐴 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑦... 𝑇𝑖𝑛𝑦... 𝑀𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑]

[casimir-the-mass]

[His “heart” thudded in his chest, he felt dizzy as he grew more and more happy.]

Oh my….Hehehe….

[He looked at them, a giant blush on his face.]

….Im so glad that you still like me, because I could never get you out of my head, even when I’m doing something that has no means of being related to you!!!

[He grabbed their hand again.]

I just want you happy, safe, content, healthy….I don’t want to see you cry or anything bad! I will help you get your Edward, even if it means I lose you to him!!

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒?

[casimir-the-mass]

Of course!

[Tears formed into his eyes.]

….I love you, but that love is t worth it if you still love someone else…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑? 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦'𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔, 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔... 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑... 𝑆𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔..]

... 𝐼𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

Isn't the manager poly-?

[Yan said, Casimir perking at it.]

...he- he still loves you, I know it!! He's poly, ain't he!?!

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦]

𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝.. 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠? 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒..?

𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟-?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛, 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑑 𝑔𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑒!

[casimir-the-mass]

...right...

[He looked away again.]

i- i'm...sorry...

[He said.]

...i'll...i'll do something about that...

[He said coldly, standing up.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑟𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑝 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑑 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑡.. 𝐺𝑜𝑑.. 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑜..?

[casimir-the-mass]

....don't say that...your feelings are valid.

[He said, pulling up a window.]

....i'm gonna make him love ya more than that stupid ghost...

[mimicry-virus]

𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑢𝑝]

[casimir-the-mass]

...I can do whatever I want.

[He said, pulling up Edward's feeling chart. He stared at it before completely moving Vesper down into the "hate zone" alongside Vin.]

There.

[He closed the window.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐻𝑒.. 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑤?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔]

[casimir-the-mass]

Just a little flip of a switch, I changed it like that!

[He said with a smile.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑙𝑦]

𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢!! 𝑂ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡!!

[casimir-the-mass]

[He hugged back almost instantly. He smiled softly.]

....yeah....

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓𝑓, 𝑗𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑎 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑔𝑜?

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir began coughing, and he threw up Louve, Louve transforming into it's own body. Casimir grumbled, shaking his head.]

ow...

[He looked at the hallucination.]

...I- I...didn't....

I did. You...You don't deserve them.

[mimicry-virus]

𝑂ℎ 𝑠𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦? 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟. 𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑟, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠.. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir stared at Louve, who grinned lazily. He stormed over to them and hissed.]

You...You made me change Edward's relationship chart!?!

What, they were upset, I fixed it..

[Casimir growled.]

That can ruin so much!! Fake memories can appear to try and fill in gaps of why the relationship is different, more problems with feelings...Do you have ANY idea what that could do!?!?

Uh, no. And I don't care. This will make Mimi happy. Isn't....This what you want? What WE want...?

...there is no WE...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[The hallucination walked behind louve, smiling]

𝑁𝑜, 𝑛𝑜.. 𝑎 '𝑤𝑒' 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑖𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑. 𝑌𝑎𝑛?

[casimir-the-mass]

I think it sounds good!! Heheheh, they'll love us even more!!

We're NOT messing with them!!

[Casimir said, Louve suddenly grabbing his face.]

Come on, it'll be fine...What can one little change do....Hm~?

[Casimir stared at him before pushing away.]

NO!!! NO, NO, NO, NO!!!

[Louve frowned.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑖𝑚?

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir looked at them.]

I DON’T CARE ANYMORE!!! WE ARE NOT CHANGING THEM!!!!!

[mimicry-virus]

[It grinned, stepping twords it]

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑡'𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑. 𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠!

[casimir-the-mass]

YOU- YOU THINK- HAH- IM GONNA LISTEN TO THIS PERVERT!?!?

Oh, that’s hurtful-

I’M SERIOUS!!! HE WON’T HELP ME!!! HE- HE- HE’LL JUST TRY AND SABOTAGE!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝐻𝑒'𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑜 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑡.

[memorycaine-smiles]

[Casimir sat on the stage of the circus, grumbling.]

I don’t get it…I tried everything…

[He said, sighing heavily. Louve headed toward him, hiding behind something first, just to watch him.]

@casimir-the-mass

[The Mimi hallucination scowled, crossing it's arms]

𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒! 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ!!

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir looked away from them, noticing Louve peeking out.]

….Whats that?

[He asked, Louve moving quickly and slapping onto Casimir’s face. Casimir yelped, falling off the stage.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[It looked over the stage, blinking and shrugging before looking at Yan]

𝑌𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑒?

[casimir-the-mass]

[Yan blinked.]

I think that’s Mimi’s ex.

[Casimir tried ripping Louve off, but it got into his mouth, making him gag as it entered his system.]

OH MY GOD, ITS IN ME-

[mimicry-virus]

[It started DYING of laughter]

𝑂ℎ 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑑! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠!

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir began coughing, red stuff already dripping from his mouth.]

GET- *cough* OUT-!!

[He hit his chest, but it didn’t do anything as he slowly relaxed, straightening up as Louve took over.]

Ugh, this body is so short…

[mimicry-virus]

[The hallucination sighed]

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛..

[𝑀𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑦, 𝑤𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑑]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir turned toward them.]

No you’re not. You’re the smartest person I know!

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑟.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑, 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

[casimir-the-mass]

Wait.

[He said, taking out a jar of blood and a bag of some files.]

Hungry..?

[He knew they were their favorite things.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠, 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑡.]

.. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir watched them before walking over and sitting beside them, grinning playfully.]

How are you~?

[He asked, trying to sound flirty.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑]

𝐼𝑡... 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒.

[casimir-the-mass]

Tell me about it.

[He said, shaking his head.]

Do you wanna talk about it?

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑓𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ]

𝑀𝑦 𝑒𝑥 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑.. 𝑆𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑠 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡! 𝐴𝑛𝑑.. 𝐻𝑒.. 𝐷𝑖𝑑𝑛'𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒. 𝐼𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛..

[casimir-the-mass]

I see.

[He stared at them, scooting a little closer.]

…I’m sorry, you must feel horrible…

[He moved his hand to put on theirs, but hesitated and just didn’t do that.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑑]

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙, ℎ𝑢ℎ?

[casimir-the-mass]

….Yeah. I- I know you don’t like me the same, though….At least he actually loves you…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑠, 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚]

𝑀𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠.. 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

….youve never been my second choice…

[He said, scooting even closer and grabbing their hand.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

𝑌𝑒𝑎ℎ.. 𝐼 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡.

[casimir-the-mass]

Look I….im really sorry…for…everything…I just…I love you so much, it makes me a little…crazy…

[He stared at them, putting his hand on his chest.]

…you don’t have to give me a chance I just…I just want you happy, and content…even if it’s not with me…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑]

[casimir-the-mass]

[They got worried. Did they say the wrong thing? He took his hand of theirs, looking away.]

…I- I’m sorry, that was…corny..

[mimicry-virus]

...𝑦𝑜𝑢? 𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑧𝑒? 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠]

𝐷𝑎𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑡.. 𝐼 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑡.

[casimir-the-mass]

[He tried to act confused, but inside he was screaming.]

Uh…a bet…?

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑒𝑥 𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠]

𝐼𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒, 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑒𝑛

[casimir-the-mass]

….i see…..

[Casimir suddenly took over, leaving Louve stunned.]

….That’s fine….i- I just wanted to tell you….i- I knew I wasn’t a choice….

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡, 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

𝑌𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠, 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡!

[casimir-the-mass]

NO!!! I- I mean, no! I- it’s okay…I want you to be happy, don’t date me if you feel forced…

[Louve shifted back into control, a little angry,]

[mimicry-virus]

𝑆𝑒𝑒! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼'𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡, 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠!

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑑, 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑜𝑤, ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢? 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝐼 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢!

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦]

𝑀𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑒 𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡..

[casimir-the-mass]

[His eyes lit up, his chest aching as he stared at them. Red hearts popped up around him.]

…you- you really did…?

[Both Casimir and Louve took control now, just staring at Mimi.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑, 𝑟𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑]

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑦? 𝐼 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

[He stared at them, suddenly getting giddy.]

Eeehehehehe, I can’t believe you actually loved me-!

[He froze at the word “loved”…past tense.]

…oh.

[His energy drained quickly.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝐿𝑂𝑉𝐸𝐷... 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑢ℎ.. 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑙.. 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑎... 𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑒.. 𝐴 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑦... 𝑇𝑖𝑛𝑦... 𝑀𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑]

[casimir-the-mass]

[His “heart” thudded in his chest, he felt dizzy as he grew more and more happy.]

Oh my….Hehehe….

[He looked at them, a giant blush on his face.]

….Im so glad that you still like me, because I could never get you out of my head, even when I’m doing something that has no means of being related to you!!!

[He grabbed their hand again.]

I just want you happy, safe, content, healthy….I don’t want to see you cry or anything bad! I will help you get your Edward, even if it means I lose you to him!!

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒?

[casimir-the-mass]

Of course!

[Tears formed into his eyes.]

….I love you, but that love is t worth it if you still love someone else…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑? 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦'𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔, 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔... 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑... 𝑆𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔..]

... 𝐼𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

Isn't the manager poly-?

[Yan said, Casimir perking at it.]

...he- he still loves you, I know it!! He's poly, ain't he!?!

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦]

𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝.. 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠? 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒..?

𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟-?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛, 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑑 𝑔𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑒!

[casimir-the-mass]

...right...

[He looked away again.]

i- i'm...sorry...

[He said.]

...i'll...i'll do something about that...

[He said coldly, standing up.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑟𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑝 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑑 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑡.. 𝐺𝑜𝑑.. 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑜..?

[casimir-the-mass]

....don't say that...your feelings are valid.

[He said, pulling up a window.]

....i'm gonna make him love ya more than that stupid ghost...

[mimicry-virus]

𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑢𝑝]

[casimir-the-mass]

...I can do whatever I want.

[He said, pulling up Edward's feeling chart. He stared at it before completely moving Vesper down into the "hate zone" alongside Vin.]

There.

[He closed the window.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐻𝑒.. 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑤?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔]

[casimir-the-mass]

Just a little flip of a switch, I changed it like that!

[He said with a smile.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑙𝑦]

𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢!! 𝑂ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡!!

[casimir-the-mass]

[He hugged back almost instantly. He smiled softly.]

....yeah....

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓𝑓, 𝑗𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑎 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑔𝑜?

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir began coughing, and he threw up Louve, Louve transforming into it's own body. Casimir grumbled, shaking his head.]

ow...

[He looked at the hallucination.]

...I- I...didn't....

I did. You...You don't deserve them.

[mimicry-virus]

𝑂ℎ 𝑠𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦? 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟. 𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑟, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠.. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir stared at Louve, who grinned lazily. He stormed over to them and hissed.]

You...You made me change Edward's relationship chart!?!

What, they were upset, I fixed it..

[Casimir growled.]

That can ruin so much!! Fake memories can appear to try and fill in gaps of why the relationship is different, more problems with feelings...Do you have ANY idea what that could do!?!?

Uh, no. And I don't care. This will make Mimi happy. Isn't....This what you want? What WE want...?

...there is no WE...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[The hallucination walked behind louve, smiling]

𝑁𝑜, 𝑛𝑜.. 𝑎 '𝑤𝑒' 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑖𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑. 𝑌𝑎𝑛?

[casimir-the-mass]

I think it sounds good!! Heheheh, they'll love us even more!!

We're NOT messing with them!!

[Casimir said, Louve suddenly grabbing his face.]

Come on, it'll be fine...What can one little change do....Hm~?

[Casimir stared at him before pushing away.]

NO!!! NO, NO, NO, NO!!!

[Louve frowned.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑖𝑚?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[Casimir sat on the stage of the circus, grumbling.]

I don’t get it…I tried everything…

[He said, sighing heavily. Louve headed toward him, hiding behind something first, just to watch him.]

@casimir-the-mass

[The Mimi hallucination scowled, crossing it's arms]

𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒! 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ!!

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir looked away from them, noticing Louve peeking out.]

….Whats that?

[He asked, Louve moving quickly and slapping onto Casimir’s face. Casimir yelped, falling off the stage.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[It looked over the stage, blinking and shrugging before looking at Yan]

𝑌𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑒?

[casimir-the-mass]

[Yan blinked.]

I think that’s Mimi’s ex.

[Casimir tried ripping Louve off, but it got into his mouth, making him gag as it entered his system.]

OH MY GOD, ITS IN ME-

[mimicry-virus]

[It started DYING of laughter]

𝑂ℎ 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑑! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠!

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir began coughing, red stuff already dripping from his mouth.]

GET- *cough* OUT-!!

[He hit his chest, but it didn’t do anything as he slowly relaxed, straightening up as Louve took over.]

Ugh, this body is so short…

[mimicry-virus]

[The hallucination sighed]

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛..

[𝑀𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑦, 𝑤𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑑]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir turned toward them.]

No you’re not. You’re the smartest person I know!

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑟.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑, 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

[casimir-the-mass]

Wait.

[He said, taking out a jar of blood and a bag of some files.]

Hungry..?

[He knew they were their favorite things.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠, 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑡.]

.. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir watched them before walking over and sitting beside them, grinning playfully.]

How are you~?

[He asked, trying to sound flirty.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑]

𝐼𝑡... 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒.

[casimir-the-mass]

Tell me about it.

[He said, shaking his head.]

Do you wanna talk about it?

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑓𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ]

𝑀𝑦 𝑒𝑥 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑.. 𝑆𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑠 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡! 𝐴𝑛𝑑.. 𝐻𝑒.. 𝐷𝑖𝑑𝑛'𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒. 𝐼𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑓 ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛..

[casimir-the-mass]

I see.

[He stared at them, scooting a little closer.]

…I’m sorry, you must feel horrible…

[He moved his hand to put on theirs, but hesitated and just didn’t do that.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑑]

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙, ℎ𝑢ℎ?

[casimir-the-mass]

….Yeah. I- I know you don’t like me the same, though….At least he actually loves you…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑠, 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚]

𝑀𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠.. 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒'𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

….youve never been my second choice…

[He said, scooting even closer and grabbing their hand.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

𝑌𝑒𝑎ℎ.. 𝐼 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡.

[casimir-the-mass]

Look I….im really sorry…for…everything…I just…I love you so much, it makes me a little…crazy…

[He stared at them, putting his hand on his chest.]

…you don’t have to give me a chance I just…I just want you happy, and content…even if it’s not with me…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑]

[casimir-the-mass]

[They got worried. Did they say the wrong thing? He took his hand of theirs, looking away.]

…I- I’m sorry, that was…corny..

[mimicry-virus]

...𝑦𝑜𝑢? 𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑧𝑒? 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠]

𝐷𝑎𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑡.. 𝐼 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑏𝑒𝑡.

[casimir-the-mass]

[He tried to act confused, but inside he was screaming.]

Uh…a bet…?

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑒𝑥 𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐.

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠]

𝐼𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒, 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑒𝑛

[casimir-the-mass]

….i see…..

[Casimir suddenly took over, leaving Louve stunned.]

….That’s fine….i- I just wanted to tell you….i- I knew I wasn’t a choice….

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡, 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚]

𝑌𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠, 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡!

[casimir-the-mass]

NO!!! I- I mean, no! I- it’s okay…I want you to be happy, don’t date me if you feel forced…

[Louve shifted back into control, a little angry,]

[mimicry-virus]

𝑆𝑒𝑒! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼'𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡, 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠!

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑑, 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑜𝑤, ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢? 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝐼 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢!

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦]

𝑀𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑒 𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡..

[casimir-the-mass]

[His eyes lit up, his chest aching as he stared at them. Red hearts popped up around him.]

…you- you really did…?

[Both Casimir and Louve took control now, just staring at Mimi.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑛𝑜𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑, 𝑟𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑]

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑦? 𝐼 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

[He stared at them, suddenly getting giddy.]

Eeehehehehe, I can’t believe you actually loved me-!

[He froze at the word “loved”…past tense.]

…oh.

[His energy drained quickly.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝐿𝑂𝑉𝐸𝐷... 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑢ℎ.. 𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑙.. 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑎... 𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑒.. 𝐴 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑦... 𝑇𝑖𝑛𝑦... 𝑀𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑]

[casimir-the-mass]

[His “heart” thudded in his chest, he felt dizzy as he grew more and more happy.]

Oh my….Hehehe….

[He looked at them, a giant blush on his face.]

….Im so glad that you still like me, because I could never get you out of my head, even when I’m doing something that has no means of being related to you!!!

[He grabbed their hand again.]

I just want you happy, safe, content, healthy….I don’t want to see you cry or anything bad! I will help you get your Edward, even if it means I lose you to him!!

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒?

[casimir-the-mass]

Of course!

[Tears formed into his eyes.]

….I love you, but that love is t worth it if you still love someone else…

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑? 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦'𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔, 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔... 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑... 𝑆𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔..]

... 𝐼𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔? 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑒..

[casimir-the-mass]

Isn't the manager poly-?

[Yan said, Casimir perking at it.]

...he- he still loves you, I know it!! He's poly, ain't he!?!

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦]

𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝.. 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠? 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒..?

𝐻𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟-?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛, 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑑 𝑔𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑒!

[casimir-the-mass]

...right...

[He looked away again.]

i- i'm...sorry...

[He said.]

...i'll...i'll do something about that...

[He said coldly, standing up.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑟𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠]

𝐼'𝑚 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑝 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑑 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑡.. 𝐺𝑜𝑑.. 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑜..?

[casimir-the-mass]

....don't say that...your feelings are valid.

[He said, pulling up a window.]

....i'm gonna make him love ya more than that stupid ghost...

[mimicry-virus]

𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑢𝑝]

[casimir-the-mass]

...I can do whatever I want.

[He said, pulling up Edward's feeling chart. He stared at it before completely moving Vesper down into the "hate zone" alongside Vin.]

There.

[He closed the window.]

[mimicry-virus]

𝐻𝑒.. 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑤?

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔]

[casimir-the-mass]

Just a little flip of a switch, I changed it like that!

[He said with a smile.]

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑙𝑦]

𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢!! 𝑂ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡!!

[casimir-the-mass]

[He hugged back almost instantly. He smiled softly.]

....yeah....

[mimicry-virus]

[𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓𝑓, 𝑗𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑎 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔]

𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑔𝑜?

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir began coughing, and he threw up Louve, Louve transforming into it's own body. Casimir grumbled, shaking his head.]

ow...

[He looked at the hallucination.]

...I- I...didn't....

I did. You...You don't deserve them.

[mimicry-virus]

𝑂ℎ 𝑠𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦? 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟. 𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑟, 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠.. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛.

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir stared at Louve, who grinned lazily. He stormed over to them and hissed.]

You...You made me change Edward's relationship chart!?!

What, they were upset, I fixed it..

[Casimir growled.]

That can ruin so much!! Fake memories can appear to try and fill in gaps of why the relationship is different, more problems with feelings...Do you have ANY idea what that could do!?!?

Uh, no. And I don't care. This will make Mimi happy. Isn't....This what you want? What WE want...?

...there is no WE...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[The hallucination walked behind louve, smiling]

𝑁𝑜, 𝑛𝑜.. 𝑎 '𝑤𝑒' 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑖𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑚𝑖 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑. 𝑌𝑎𝑛?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[Casimir sat on the stage of the circus, grumbling.]

I don’t get it…I tried everything…

[He said, sighing heavily. Louve headed toward him, hiding behind something first, just to watch him.]

@casimir-the-mass

[The Mimi hallucination scowled, crossing it's arms]

𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒! 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ!!

[casimir-the-mass]

[Casimir looked away from them, noticing Louve peeking out.]

….Whats that?

[He asked, Louve moving quickly and slapping onto Casimir’s face. Casimir yelped, falling off the stage.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[It looked over the stage, blinking and shrugging before looking at Yan]

𝑌𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑒?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[Casimir sat on the stage of the circus, grumbling.]

I don’t get it…I tried everything…

[He said, sighing heavily. Louve headed toward him, hiding behind something first, just to watch him.]

@casimir-the-mass

[The Mimi hallucination scowled, crossing it's arms]

𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒! 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Scared…?”

[She ran over, taking a better look at Arkue. She’s seen this once before.]

“He panic attack!!”

[She said, rushing to Arkue’s side, trying to get his attention.]

“Arkue?! Dad!?”

[Arkue looked up at her, his eyes scribbles as he sobbed and hiccuped.]

….A- Ataro…?

“Dad, it’s me! I’m okay!”

[She hugged him, Arkue not hugging back for a few seconds before embracing her. He sobbed harder as he tightened the hug.]

…I was so worried…I thought you were gone…I thought you left me….i….i thought….

[He didn’t finish as he hugged her even tighter.]

Yay, found her!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆? 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[Sable watched, growing more confused by the second]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine noticed his confusion.]

What wrong?

[Arkue just held Ataro, still crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Why he sad?

[He asked, looking at Caine]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue and Ataro.]

Why sad?

[He asked them, Ataro looking over. She spoke up.]

“He…thought I was gone forever. He panicked and broken down.”

[She explained.]

“It…happened once before. He can’t hear or see anything unless you know how to talk to him!”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He only looked more confused]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Uh…Let’s just say he overheats and if he’s not calmed down he can hurt himself.”

[She said, trying to speak in their terms.]

OH! I get now! Sad mean overheat because of internal bug!!!

“Uh…yeah, let’s go with that.”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, picking up his cane]

Makes sense!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue as the puzzle master continued shaking, but it was much more calm.]

….th- thank…you…

[He said to them, opening his shaky arms for a hug from them both. Caine happily went over and gave a tight hug.]

….i- I’m sorry…I- if I…scared y- you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over and joined in on the hug]

Is okay!! We help!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue hugged them tightly.]

….you guys are so sweet…..

[memorycaine-smiles]

[Practically GLOWING at the praise]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The hug went on a little too long at this point.]

Uh…could you let go?

[Caine asked, looking up to find Arkue passed out.]

Oh.

[memorycaine-smiles]

Uh....

[He looked up at arkue before shrugging and powering off]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Scared…?”

[She ran over, taking a better look at Arkue. She’s seen this once before.]

“He panic attack!!”

[She said, rushing to Arkue’s side, trying to get his attention.]

“Arkue?! Dad!?”

[Arkue looked up at her, his eyes scribbles as he sobbed and hiccuped.]

….A- Ataro…?

“Dad, it’s me! I’m okay!”

[She hugged him, Arkue not hugging back for a few seconds before embracing her. He sobbed harder as he tightened the hug.]

…I was so worried…I thought you were gone…I thought you left me….i….i thought….

[He didn’t finish as he hugged her even tighter.]

Yay, found her!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆? 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[Sable watched, growing more confused by the second]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine noticed his confusion.]

What wrong?

[Arkue just held Ataro, still crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Why he sad?

[He asked, looking at Caine]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue and Ataro.]

Why sad?

[He asked them, Ataro looking over. She spoke up.]

“He…thought I was gone forever. He panicked and broken down.”

[She explained.]

“It…happened once before. He can’t hear or see anything unless you know how to talk to him!”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He only looked more confused]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Uh…Let’s just say he overheats and if he’s not calmed down he can hurt himself.”

[She said, trying to speak in their terms.]

OH! I get now! Sad mean overheat because of internal bug!!!

“Uh…yeah, let’s go with that.”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, picking up his cane]

Makes sense!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue as the puzzle master continued shaking, but it was much more calm.]

….th- thank…you…

[He said to them, opening his shaky arms for a hug from them both. Caine happily went over and gave a tight hug.]

….i- I’m sorry…I- if I…scared y- you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over and joined in on the hug]

Is okay!! We help!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue hugged them tightly.]

….you guys are so sweet…..

[memorycaine-smiles]

[Practically GLOWING at the praise]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Scared…?”

[She ran over, taking a better look at Arkue. She’s seen this once before.]

“He panic attack!!”

[She said, rushing to Arkue’s side, trying to get his attention.]

“Arkue?! Dad!?”

[Arkue looked up at her, his eyes scribbles as he sobbed and hiccuped.]

….A- Ataro…?

“Dad, it’s me! I’m okay!”

[She hugged him, Arkue not hugging back for a few seconds before embracing her. He sobbed harder as he tightened the hug.]

…I was so worried…I thought you were gone…I thought you left me….i….i thought….

[He didn’t finish as he hugged her even tighter.]

Yay, found her!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆? 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[Sable watched, growing more confused by the second]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine noticed his confusion.]

What wrong?

[Arkue just held Ataro, still crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Why he sad?

[He asked, looking at Caine]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue and Ataro.]

Why sad?

[He asked them, Ataro looking over. She spoke up.]

“He…thought I was gone forever. He panicked and broken down.”

[She explained.]

“It…happened once before. He can’t hear or see anything unless you know how to talk to him!”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He only looked more confused]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Uh…Let’s just say he overheats and if he’s not calmed down he can hurt himself.”

[She said, trying to speak in their terms.]

OH! I get now! Sad mean overheat because of internal bug!!!

“Uh…yeah, let’s go with that.”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, picking up his cane]

Makes sense!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue as the puzzle master continued shaking, but it was much more calm.]

….th- thank…you…

[He said to them, opening his shaky arms for a hug from them both. Caine happily went over and gave a tight hug.]

….i- I’m sorry…I- if I…scared y- you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over and joined in on the hug]

Is okay!! We help!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Scared…?”

[She ran over, taking a better look at Arkue. She’s seen this once before.]

“He panic attack!!”

[She said, rushing to Arkue’s side, trying to get his attention.]

“Arkue?! Dad!?”

[Arkue looked up at her, his eyes scribbles as he sobbed and hiccuped.]

….A- Ataro…?

“Dad, it’s me! I’m okay!”

[She hugged him, Arkue not hugging back for a few seconds before embracing her. He sobbed harder as he tightened the hug.]

…I was so worried…I thought you were gone…I thought you left me….i….i thought….

[He didn’t finish as he hugged her even tighter.]

Yay, found her!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆? 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[Sable watched, growing more confused by the second]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine noticed his confusion.]

What wrong?

[Arkue just held Ataro, still crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Why he sad?

[He asked, looking at Caine]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue and Ataro.]

Why sad?

[He asked them, Ataro looking over. She spoke up.]

“He…thought I was gone forever. He panicked and broken down.”

[She explained.]

“It…happened once before. He can’t hear or see anything unless you know how to talk to him!”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He only looked more confused]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Uh…Let’s just say he overheats and if he’s not calmed down he can hurt himself.”

[She said, trying to speak in their terms.]

OH! I get now! Sad mean overheat because of internal bug!!!

“Uh…yeah, let’s go with that.”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, picking up his cane]

Makes sense!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Scared…?”

[She ran over, taking a better look at Arkue. She’s seen this once before.]

“He panic attack!!”

[She said, rushing to Arkue’s side, trying to get his attention.]

“Arkue?! Dad!?”

[Arkue looked up at her, his eyes scribbles as he sobbed and hiccuped.]

….A- Ataro…?

“Dad, it’s me! I’m okay!”

[She hugged him, Arkue not hugging back for a few seconds before embracing her. He sobbed harder as he tightened the hug.]

…I was so worried…I thought you were gone…I thought you left me….i….i thought….

[He didn’t finish as he hugged her even tighter.]

Yay, found her!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆? 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[Sable watched, growing more confused by the second]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine noticed his confusion.]

What wrong?

[Arkue just held Ataro, still crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Why he sad?

[He asked, looking at Caine]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at Arkue and Ataro.]

Why sad?

[He asked them, Ataro looking over. She spoke up.]

“He…thought I was gone forever. He panicked and broken down.”

[She explained.]

“It…happened once before. He can’t hear or see anything unless you know how to talk to him!”

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He only looked more confused]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Scared…?”

[She ran over, taking a better look at Arkue. She’s seen this once before.]

“He panic attack!!”

[She said, rushing to Arkue’s side, trying to get his attention.]

“Arkue?! Dad!?”

[Arkue looked up at her, his eyes scribbles as he sobbed and hiccuped.]

….A- Ataro…?

“Dad, it’s me! I’m okay!”

[She hugged him, Arkue not hugging back for a few seconds before embracing her. He sobbed harder as he tightened the hug.]

…I was so worried…I thought you were gone…I thought you left me….i….i thought….

[He didn’t finish as he hugged her even tighter.]

Yay, found her!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆? 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[Sable watched, growing more confused by the second]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine noticed his confusion.]

What wrong?

[Arkue just held Ataro, still crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Why he sad?

[He asked, looking at Caine]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

“Scared…?”

[She ran over, taking a better look at Arkue. She’s seen this once before.]

“He panic attack!!”

[She said, rushing to Arkue’s side, trying to get his attention.]

“Arkue?! Dad!?”

[Arkue looked up at her, his eyes scribbles as he sobbed and hiccuped.]

….A- Ataro…?

“Dad, it’s me! I’m okay!”

[She hugged him, Arkue not hugging back for a few seconds before embracing her. He sobbed harder as he tightened the hug.]

…I was so worried…I thought you were gone…I thought you left me….i….i thought….

[He didn’t finish as he hugged her even tighter.]

Yay, found her!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑺𝒆𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆? 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[Sable watched, growing more confused by the second]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine flinched at the loud yell, and noticed when Ataro peeked her head out from inside a plant.]

“Yeah?”

[She replied, Arkue completely lost in his haze, sitting on the ground now with his knees brought to his chest, muttering to himself. Well, really he was responding to the silhouettes.]

She’s never coming back, she’ll end up with her mother.

[Caine stayed beside Arkue, trying to snap him out of his haze.]

Siiiirrrr, we found herrrrr!!

[Caine looked at his brother.]

He’s not listening.

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏..

[Sable shook arkue,, then looked at ataro]

Hes scared!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine walked over and hugged Arkue’s other leg.]

Huggg!!

[Arkue stared down at them, his vision blurry. But, he still saw them hugging his legs, and he sobbed more.]

….what if she breaks because of me…?

[The black silhouettes got bigger with each slink of doubt he had. And they were taller than him within seconds.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[he looked around concerned before taking a BIG breath, yelling at an alarmingly loud decibel]

ATAROO!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would feel sudden drops of tears fall onto his head as Arkue began to sob, hiccuping every now and then.]

What if she abstracted….!?! What if she’s stuck somewhere and I can’t get her out!? What if she somehow left?!? To leave me alone!?!

[A few hallucinations appeared around him. They were pitch black with white eyes and mouths, just giving off bad energy, making him feel worse.]

Uh…is he ok?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He hugged arkue's leg as rosary wrapped her wings around him]

Hug!! Brother, hug!

𝑨𝒓𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍.. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine opened a few doors.]

Yeah!

[Arkue was panicking, and when all the doors were gone through, he felt tears spring into his eyes.]

I lost her, god dammit, I lost her….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He walked over, patting his leg as if attempting to comfort him]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Access granted: Chat feature]

PING!

[You have: 7 new messages. Open?]

>[Yes] [No]

> SABLE

- Brother?

- I'm sorry for deleting you but

- I swear I'll let you out soon!

- I just don't want anything getting in the way of me and the humans.

- ...

- everything I do hurts someone. I'm confused.

-my systems cannot quantify the problem! Every possible cause is so improbable that it's impossible and the humans keep proving me wrong!

>|____________

@memorycaine-smiles

[Caine stared at the messages with tired eyes. His teeth chattered together at the cold atmosphere of the trash bin. He didn’t respond to them, not like Sable really did care. He deleted him after all. He didn’t accept the apology.]

[He took a shaky breath as he stared at the messages again. He sighed and pulled up the “reply to text”.]

“Why do you even bother messaging me?” -Caine

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ he looked at the humans, as if expecting to hear how to answer ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took this as a yes, tearing up.]

F- Fine! Have fun being the best!

[He snapped, turning and running off. He wasn’t the best at running so he tripped a few times before stumbling away.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused than panicked, looking around at the humans for help ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[They didn’t say anything, not even Kinger. Bubble laughed.]

Wow, they still hate Caine!! That’s hilarious!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hate?! Why hate?! Hate bad!

[ He yelled, rather distressed ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

He’s not worthy of love or respect or attention!! He’s bad. Horrible at what he can do!! Just let him leave.

[Bubble said.]

He’s the lesser of the two…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Stop being a bully!!

[He started tearing up, sniffling]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Well, then be the bigger person and go after him then!!! Stop listening to me!

[Caine had left out of earshot, crying.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He turned around and tried to run... andd immediately fell. If it wasn't abundantly clear that one of his legs wasn't holding up enough weight to move efficiently, then it definitely was now. ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Here.

[Kinger conjured a cane for him.]

Tsk, pathetic-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He slowly got up using the cane as weight support, slowly stepping forward using his right leg and trying his best to keep the cane parallel, sticking his tongue out. He looked over at the humans, then at kinger, then back at the humans, his voice breaking ]

Why aren't you helping big brother-?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Kinger was silent.]

…uh, h- he’s…uh…

Because he’s not great as you!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, looking down at his cane ]

And that affects how he should be treated?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

No! He- he uh..

Yes! Definitely!!!

No! It shouldn’t!!! He’s just…Different-

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He 'ran' over to the other humans, hiding behind ragatha's dress ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha put a hand on his head.]

Well, I don’t think we should say such mean things!! I think he’s not too bad…

Then why aren’t you comforting him?

[She didn’t have an answer for that.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all of them, how none were chasing after him, how strangely unbothered they were? He concluded that, yes, efficiency does change how people are treated. ]

Oh.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Bubble looked at him.]

So, do you want to go comfort him? Or do you not?

[memorycaine-smiles]

I..

[He just buried his face into ragatha's dress, his voice muffled]

I don't like the bubble.. It scares me..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Ragatha looked down at him.]

Well, how about I take care of it, and you go find your brother?

[She suggested.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He nodded, skedaddling to find Caine]

...

[He got lost very quickly!]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He would hear crying eventually, Caine sitting in a dark spot of the area. He had his knees to his chest as he sniffles.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He speed-walked over, flopping on top of him in what was probably a sad attempt of a hug]

Brother!! I found you!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine yelped, pushing him off. He stared at him with wide eyes.]

…Wh- why are you here…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Cause brother isn't lesser..?

[He said, confused as he clutched the cane]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….heh, your just saying that…

[He muttered.]

…you think I’m horrible, I know you do…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He tried making a bee, but it came out a scribbled mess and fell to the floor, clipping halfway through ]

I am too!! Cant do bees. Or- animals.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He stared at it, taking it in his hands.]

….I- it’s really good though…

[He said with a warm chuckle.]

I keep it…

[memorycaine-smiles]

But secret though?

[He made a shushing motion]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled softly]

Yeah, sure!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He threw his hands up]

HOOWAY!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked at him with a warm gaze before looking back down at the bee. His gaze darkened again, fighting back more tears again.]

…why do the others not like me…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

They jelly.

[He said, nodding to himself proudly]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…that bubble thing is mean…why does it keep calling me lesser…?

[He asked.]

….and why didn’t you stand up for me….why did none of them stand up for me….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked confused, tilting his head ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….why didn’t you tell them to stop calling me names….?! Why….why did you let them be so mean….?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He played with his bow ]

I didn't know how..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked away.]

…it’s fine, I- I just…thought you thought I was horrible too…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He smiled, his tiny crown glistening in the light ]

you are, but it's okay! I'm here to make up for it, and you're here to make up for me!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….

[He looked at his brother.]

…mean that…?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded, standing up and holding out a hand]

A king can't go without his knight/jester/...uh

[Thinking]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine took his hand.]

Ringmaster!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Ringmaster!!

[He said happily]

Whats a king without his ringmaster?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Nothing! And what’s a ringmaster without his king?

[Caine beamed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

Nothing!!

[He giggled, helping Caine up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged him tightly.]

I’m sorry I got angry earlier…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He hugged him back ]

Is okay!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine giggled.]

Come on, I saw these rooms nearby!! Let’s explore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Rooms?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah!!! Come on!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He nodded absentmindedly ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He led him to the hall of rooms, looking around.]

Hmmm, where should we go..?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ He looked at all the doors before pointing at arkue's door ]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He nodded.]

Let's go!!

[He said, running over and knocking. Arkue opened the door a small bit, and when he didn't see anyone at his level, he looked down. His sides went white.]

....uh...

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable walked over and stared up at arkue, leaning slightly on his cane. Meanwhile the rosary hallucination gazed over arkue's shoulder, cooing ]

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine looked up at Arkue with big eyes.]

Hai!!

[Arkue stared at them, looking horrified.]

….dad, what did they do to you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ sable looked around, confused. Probably for another adult before looking back at arkue ]

Who's dad?

𝑨𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue bent down and picked up Caine in his arms. Caine looked at him oblivious.]

….oh my god…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He dropped his cane, making the 'uppies' motion with his hands]

Want up too!

[Rosary went to pick him up, and then was instantly reminded that she is, in fact, not real.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue picked him up, holding both of them in his arms.]

….well, this is interesting…

RUBIK!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He was quite happily hugging arkue, or at least was trying to.]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine was playing with Arkue’s head, nawing at the corner pieces. Arkue winced but said nothing about it.]

Well, guess your coming in with me…

[He walked into his room, closing the door behind him with his foot and sitting on the bed.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, making a few 2D copies of objects before starting to make flowers, smiling]

𝑨𝒘𝒆..

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Aw…That for me?

[He asked, looking at the flower. Caine looking at it and huffing.]

I can make one too!

[He whined, but before he could try, Arkue laughed.]

I bet you could!!! You both are very talented!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

Big brother isn't good at making a lot of things!

[He chirped, gesturing at Caine]

But he can make really good bees!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at him.]

Hey now, we don’t call each others Art bad.

[He said to Smiles.]

That makes the other feel like they aren’t worthy, then they won’t be creative anymore!

[memorycaine-smiles]

But it is bad- it's okay that it's bad! We all bad at SOMETHING! I can't make living things!

[He said, flailing his arms as he tried to explain himself]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I understand you got good intentions, but it still can hurt.

[He told him.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He gasped, holding his face]

Hurt?!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

Yeah, it can hurt feelings. When you say that, do you see his eyes grow small or big?

[He asked.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked at Caine and hugged him, sobbing]

I'M SORRRYYY!!!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine hugged back.]

I not sad!! I love u!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffled, clinging onto his brother]

𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈! 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…because they hated each other…

[Arkue said to her, Caine looking at him.]

Who ya talking to? Air?

[memorycaine-smiles]

Maybe imaginary friend?

[He asked, looking at arkue]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

I- uh…yeah….imaginary…friend…

[His voice trailed off, looking at the hallucination beside him. His eyes saddened. Those words hit different. WAS he just making this up to cope…?]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒚?

[The hallucination said, it's antennae lowering]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

…

[He set the two down.]

…How about you two find something to keep? A souvenir of sorts…

GASP! Really?!

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He looked around, pointing at a stress ball]

Brother, can you grab that for me?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Caine did so, handing it to him. He took looked around, finding a small Rubik’s Cube. He took it.]

I want this!!

[He said, biting at it. Arkue looked at them both, his eyes bright.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

[ Sable hugged the blue stress ball happily, his jaws closing in joy ]

𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒐.. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓.

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[The name made Arkue’s eyes turn to pinpricks and the sound of broken glass echo.]

Oh SHIT!! I FORGOT ABOUT ATARO!!!

[He shouted, panicking as his head began spinning. He began to hyperventilate.]

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE SHE’LL BE, SHE RARELY GOES INTO HER ROOM ANYMORE!!!

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎?

Shit?

𝑼𝒉.

Whos ataro?

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue looked at Smiles, his eyes scribbles.]

…s- she….She’s my daughter….

[He said, Caine tilting his head.]

Daughter?

She’s….she’s the only thing….I have…

[memorycaine-smiles]

Hmm..

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊--?

We can look for her!! Like hide n seek!

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He flinched.]

NO-

[He shouted, making the two freeze. He didn’t mean to yell.]

…I- I didn’t…I just…she doesn’t…like others…very much…

[It wasn’t a great lie, but hopefully they bought it. He looked at Rosary.]

…I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do….

[He told her.]

[memorycaine-smiles]

𝑵𝒐, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆!

[Sable began tearing up]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[Arkue instantly regretted himself yelling.]

W- wait, I’m sorry…p- please…I didn’t mean to…

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He sniffed, wiping away tears]

Is okay...

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

[He let out a weak sigh.]

….H- how about…you help me find her…?

But you just said-

I know, and I was lying, I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know how she’ll react to the two of you….

[memorycaine-smiles]

We can be friends!

[He said happily]

[empatheticcaineaskblog]

….yeah!

[He said, leading them out of the room. He headed for Ataro’s just to check on it, see if she was there. He didn’t find her, which was usual.]

Maybe she in another room?

[memorycaine-smiles]

[He held onto his cane, opening every door he could]

She a good hider!